Aircraft store ejector system

ABSTRACT

An aircraft store ejector systems and subsystems thereof. Embodiments can include a two-reservoir re-pressurization system wherein a remote reservoir is used to maintain desired pressure in a local ejector reservoir. The system can include a release valve having a vent valve and valve piston. The release valve can control release of pressurized gas to a pitch control valve. The pitch control valve can be configured to distribute the pressurized gas between two or more ejector piston assemblies. One or more of the ejector piston assemblies can include multiple concentric piston stages and piston chambers, the piston chambers configured to contain a volume of gas. The ejector piston assemblies can be configured to compress the volume of gas within the piston chambers as the piston stages are extended out from the aircraft. Such compression can provide a return force to the piston stages.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Any and all priority claims identified in the Application Data Sheet, orany correction thereto, are hereby incorporated by reference under 37CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The disclosure relates generally to aircraft store ejectors. Inparticular, the disclosure relates to store ejector systems havingonboard pressurized gas sources, a vented release valve, a pitch controlvalve, and/or a piston ejection system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Aircraft store ejector systems are commonly used in the aviationindustry to allow for transport and/or release of stores carried byaircraft. A typical ejector system can include a plurality of hookswhich hold the store to the aircraft wing or fuselage. The system willalso often include one or more stabilizers, such as sway-braces, thatcan be configured to stabilize the store during flight. Many ejectorsystems also include hydraulic or gas-driven pistons that are used toaid gravity and push the store away from the aircraft upon release ofthe store from the hooks. Gas-driven pistons are sometimes actuated by“hot” gas generated by pyrotechnic devices. In some systems, gas drivenpistons are actuated by “cold” gas, such as compressed air.

SUMMARY

An embodiment involves an aircraft store ejector system, including apressurized gas arrangement having a remote reservoir and a localejector reservoir. The remote reservoir has a larger volume than theejector reservoir and is arranged to supply pressurized gas to theejector reservoir. A pressure regulation arrangement is positionedbetween the remote reservoir and the ejector reservoir that adjusts apressure level of the pressurized gas supplied from the remote reservoirto the ejector reservoir. A release valve arrangement includes a ventvalve configured to provide selective fluid communication between theambient surroundings of the release valve arrangement and one or moreejector passages. A main valve provides selective fluid communicationbetween the ejector reservoir and the one or more ejector passages. Afiring valve can be opened, which results in closing of the vent valveand then opening of the main valve. Wherein opening the main valveprovides pressurized gas to the ejector passages. An ejection systemreceives a flow of pressurized gas from the ejector reservoir via therelease valve arrangement. The ejection system includes a first ejectorpassage in fluid communication with the release valve arrangement and afirst ejector piston. The ejection system also includes a second ejectorpassage in fluid communication with the release valve arrangement and asecond ejector piston. The first ejector piston acts on a store at afirst location and the second ejector piston acts on the store at asecond location. At least one of first ejector piston and the secondejector piston includes a plurality of concentric telescopic pistonstages. The space between each adjacent pair of the concentric pistonstages defines a piston chamber. Each of the piston chambers contain avolume of gas that compresses as the plurality of telescopic pistonstages move toward an extended configuration. The compressed volume ofgas provides a return force on the plurality of piston stages to biasthe plurality of telescopic piston stages toward a retracted positionwhen the pressurized gas is evacuated from the ejection system via thevent valve. A pitch control valve controls the flow of pressurized gasto each of the first and second ejector passages. The pitch controlvalve includes a rotatable carousel that rotates about its axis. Thecarousel has an obstruction wall portion, which varies the flow area ofthe flow of pressurized gas when moving in a circumferential direction.The carousel is rotatable such that a selective portion of each gas flowpassage leading to the first and second ejector cylinders can bevariably obstructed by the obstruction wall portion to selectivelyproportion the pressurized gas flow between the first and second ejectorcylinders.

In some arrangements, the pressure regulation arrangement comprises apressure regulator and a pressure intensifier. The pressure intensifiercan be a single stage compressor.

In some embodiments, the obstruction wall portion is defined by acircumferential wall of the carousel. The circumferential wall can havean end surface that defines a variable height of the obstruction wallportion with respect to angle of rotation.

In some cases, the carousel is driven by a motor whose rotational motionmay be controlled by the aircraft on-board computer. The motor/carouseldrive system can incorporate a sensor for sensing carousel angularposition.

An embodiment involves an ejector system for an aircraft store, whichincludes a first ejector passage that supplies an ejector gas to a firstejector. The first ejector applies an ejection force to a first locationon a store in response to the supply of ejector gas. A second ejectorpassage supplies an ejector gas to a second ejector, which applies anejection force to a second location on the store in response to thesupply of ejector gas. A pitch control valve regulates an amount ofejector gas provided to each of the first and second ejector passages.The pitch control valve includes a rotary carousel having an obstructionwall, which obstructs a portion of each of the first and second gaspassages. The obstruction wall varies in height around its circumferencesuch that an amount of obstruction of each of the first and secondejector passages can be adjusted by rotation of the carousel.

In some arrangements, at least a portion of an upper end of the wallresides in a plane that is oblique with respect to an axis of rotationof the carousel. In other arrangements, an entirety of an upper end ofthe wall resides in a plane that is oblique with respect to an axis ofrotation of the carousel.

In some arrangements, the system further includes a motor configured torotate the carousel about an axis of rotation. The carousel can alsoinclude a rotational input feature configured to enable rotational inputto the carousel. The rotational input feature can be a set of annulargear teeth on the carousel. The motor can be an electric motor. Themotor can include a rotatable portion, which has a rotational outputfeature configured to facilitate transmission of a rotational force fromthe motor to the rotation input feature.

In some embodiments, portions of the obstruction wall that obstruct thefirst and second ejector passages are diametrically opposed from oneanother.

An embodiment involves a pressurized gas system for an aircraft storeejector system, which includes a remote gas reservoir configured to holda remote volume of a pressurized gas. An ejector gas reservoir holds anejector volume of a pressurized gas. The remote volume is greater thanthe ejector volume and the remote gas reservoir is arranged to supplypressurized gas to the ejector gas reservoir. A pressure regulationarrangement is interposed between the remote gas reservoir and theejector gas reservoir. The pressure regulation arrangement is configuredto regulate a pressure of the pressurized gas supplied to the ejectorgas reservoir to a desired pressure.

In some arrangements, the pressure regulation arrangement includes oneor both of a pressure regulator and a pressure intensifier. The pressureintensifier can be a single-stage compressor.

In some arrangements, the system also includes a relief valve configuredto selectively release pressurized gas from the ejector gas reservoir.The relief valve can be configured to direct released pressurized gasfrom the ejector reservoir to the pressure regulation arrangement. Therelief valve can be configured to direct released pressurized gas fromthe ejector reservoir to a vent.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises one or more manualvalves.

In some arrangements, one or more of the remote reservoir and theejector reservoir are configured to be charged while the aircraft is onthe ground.

In some embodiments, the remote reservoir includes a pressure controlmember and an actuating member. The actuating member is configured toactuate the pressure control member and the pressure control member isconfigured to modify the pressure of the gas within the remotereservoir. The pressure control member can be a plunger configured toreduce the volume of the remote reservoir when moved in a firstdirection and to increase the volume of the remote reservoir when movedin a second direction. The actuating member can be controlled by aperson inside or outside the aircraft. The actuating member can becontrolled by a sensor or other mechanism within or without theaircraft.

An embodiment involves a release valve arrangement for a pressurized gasreservoir of an aircraft store ejector system, the release valveincluding an upper piston housing portion having an interior spacedefining an upper valve chamber. The upper piston housing portionincludes one or more vent ports and one or more ejector passageopenings. The one or more vent ports are configured to create fluidcommunication between the ambient surroundings of the release valvearrangement and the upper valve chamber. The one or more ejector passageopenings connect the upper valve chamber with one or more ejectorpassages. A lower piston housing portion is connected to the upperpiston housing portion and has an interior space that defines a lowervalve chamber. The lower piston housing portion includes a valve windowand a valve seat. The valve window permits fluid communication betweenthe pressurized gas reservoir and the lower valve chamber. A valvepiston is movable within the upper piston housing portion and the lowerpiston housing portion. The valve piston has a first end, a second end,and an outer surface. The first end of the valve piston generallyresides within the upper piston housing portion and the second end ofthe valve piston generally resides within the lower piston housingportion. The valve piston includes a cap portion connected to the firstend of the valve piston and having an outer cross-sectional dimensiongreater than the outer cross-sectional dimension of the first end of thevalve piston and one or more radial projections. The one or more radialprojections are connected to the valve piston and extend outwardly fromthe outer surface of the valve piston. A vent poppet is housed in theupper valve chamber. The vent poppet is annular in shape. The ventpoppet and an adjacent portion of the outer surface of the valve pistondefine a fluid flow passage therebetween. The cap portion can contactthe vent poppet to cause movement of the vent poppet within the uppervalve chamber. A main valve poppet is housed in the lower valve chamber.The main valve poppet is annular in shape and has an inner surface andan outer surface. The main valve poppet is configured to be movablerelative to the valve piston. The outer surface of the main valve poppetis configured to engage the valve seat. The main valve poppet and thevalve piston cooperate to create a seal between the upper valve chamberand the lower valve chamber when the main valve poppet is engaged withthe valve seat. A firing valve is in fluid communication with the lowervalve chamber and configured to vent the lower valve chamber when thefiring valve is opened. When the firing valve is opened, pressurized gasfrom the valve window causes the valve piston to move downward towardthe lower piston housing. The downward movement of the valve pistoncauses the cap portion to contact the vent poppet, and contact betweenthe vent poppet and cap portion closes the one or more vent passages.Further downward movement of the valve piston brings the one or moreradial projections into contact with the main valve poppet, andsubsequent further downward movement of the valve piston disengages themain valve poppet from the valve seat allows for fluid communicationbetween the pressurized gas reservoir and the interior of the upperpiston housing.

In some arrangements, the valve piston also includes an expanded portionthat contacts the main valve poppet to urge the main valve poppet intoengagement with the valve seat. The expanded portion can be locatedbetween the one or more radial projections and the second end of thevalve piston. The expanded portion can include a throttled port, whichis configured to provide fluid communication between the valve windowand the firing valve. The throttle port throttles the flow of fluid fromthe valve window to the firing valve.

In some arrangements, the valve piston is configured to release one ormore store securing features from the aircraft store when the valvepiston is moved toward the lower piston housing.

In some embodiments, the release valve arrangement further includes aresilient member configured to bias the valve piston toward the upperpiston housing. The resilient member can be a compression spring.

In some arrangements, the cap portion, radial projections, and valvepiston form a unitary part.

An embodiment involves an ejector piston assembly for an aircraft storeejection system. The ejector piston assembly is configured to movebetween a retracted position and an extended position. The ejectorpiston assembly includes an ejector piston housing having an interiorchamber defining an axial centerline, a first end nearest the aircraft,and a second end furthest from the aircraft. The ejector piston housingfurther has a downward projection extending into the interior chamber ofthe housing from a first end of the housing. The downward projection hasan axial centerline and an axial length. An outer piston stage has aninterior chamber, a first end nearest the aircraft, and a second endfurthest from the aircraft. The outer piston stage is coaxial with theejector piston housing. The first end of the outer piston stage has anoccluding portion. The piston assembly includes one or more intermediatepiston stages, each of which has an interior chamber, a first endnearest the aircraft, and a second end furthest from the aircraft. Theone or more intermediate piston stages are received within the interiorchamber of and coaxial with the outer piston stage. An inner pistonstage has an interior chamber, a first end nearest the aircraft, and asecond end furthest from the aircraft. The inner piston stage includes atransverse wall configured to close the interior chamber of the innerpiston stage at an intermediate location along the axial length of theinner piston stage. The inner piston stage is received within theinterior chamber of and coaxial with an innermost one of the one or moreintermediate piston stages. An outer piston chamber is defined betweenthe ejector piston housing and the outer piston stage. An inner pistonchamber is defined between the inner piston stage and the innermost oneof the one or more intermediate piston stages. A volume of gas withinthe outer piston chamber and a volume of gas within the inner pistonchamber are compressed as the ejection system transitions from theretracted position to the extended position. A ram member is connectedto the second end of the inner piston stage and configured to contactthe store. An inlet passage provides pressurized ejection gas from apressurized gas source to the interior volume of the ejector pistonhousing. A passage is defined between the outer surface of the downwardprojection and the inner surface of the inner piston stage. The axiallength of the downward projection is selected to create a space betweenthe bottom surface of the downward projection and the transverse wall ofthe inner piston stage. The downward projection is at least partiallypositioned within the interior chamber of the inner piston stage whenthe ejection system is in the retracted position. The occluding portionof the outer piston stage restricts the rate of flow of pressurized gasfrom the inlet passage to the interior chamber of the ejector pistonhousing. At least a portion of the axial lengths of each of the pistonstages extend past the second end of the ejector piston housing when theejection system is in the extended position. The compressed volume ofgas within each of the inner and outer piston chambers creates a forcetending to bias the piston stages toward the first end of the housingwhen the ejection system is in the extended position.

In some arrangements, the ejection system is configured to transition tothe retracted configuration upon opening of a vent valve in thepressurized gas release valve.

In some arrangements, at least one intermediate piston chamber isdefined between the outer piston stage and an outermost one of the oneor more intermediate piston stage. At least one resilient member ishoused within the at least one intermediate piston chamber and isconfigured to create a force tending to bias the outermost one of theone or more intermediate piston stages toward the first end of thehousing when the ejection system is in the extended position. Theresilient member can be a compression spring.

In some embodiments, the outer piston stage includes an outer bleedpassage configured to provide fluid communication between the outerpiston chamber and one of the first ejector passage and the secondejector passage. In some embodiments, the inner piston stage furthercomprises an inner bleed passage configured to provide fluidcommunication between the inner piston chamber and one of the firstejector passage and the second ejector passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present aircraft store ejector system is described herein withreference to drawings of preferred embodiments, which are intended toillustrate and not to limit the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a pneumatic circuit representation of an embodimentof the aircraft store ejector system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a release valve and firstand second ejector pistons of an embodiment of the aircraft storeejector system.

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of portions of the aircraft storeejector system.

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the aircraft storeejector system of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the aircraft store ejectorsystem of FIG. 3A taken along the line 3C-3C of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the release valve in aready to fire position.

FIG. 4B illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the release valveindicated by the line 4B-4B in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the release valve of FIG.4A in a first position.

FIG. 4D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the release valve of FIG.4A in a second position.

FIG. 4E illustrates a cross-sectional view of the release valve of FIG.4A in a third position.

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a pitchcontrol valve.

FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment ofa pitch control valve, which is a modification of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an ejector piston in aretracted position.

FIG. 6B illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the ejectorpiston taken along line 6B-6B of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the ejector piston of FIG.6A in a partially-extended position.

FIG. 6D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the ejector piston of FIG.6A in a partially-extended position.

FIG. 6E illustrates a cross-sectional view of the ejector piston of FIG.6A in a fully-extended position.

FIG. 7 illustrates a pneumatic circuit representation of an embodimentof the aircraft store ejector system, which is a modification of thesystem of FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a pneumatic circuit representation of an embodimentof the aircraft store ejector system, which is another modification ofthe system of FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 9 illustrates a pneumatic circuit representation of an embodimentof the aircraft store ejector system, which is another modification ofthe system of FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a releasevalve assembly where a portion of the piston housing is rotated to anoccluding position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several embodiments of an improved aircraft store ejector system andindividual components of the ejector system are disclosed herein. Theembodiments disclosed are often are described in the context of anejector system for use on the wing and/or fuselage of an aircraft.

For the purpose of providing context to the present disclosure, it isnoted that there are essentially two types of cold gas energizedejection systems currently in service. Type A Systems are groundrecharged bottle systems wherein an onboard pressure vessel local to theejectors is charged while the aircraft is on the ground either while thevessel is installed or when the vessel has been removed such that it maybe recharged remote from the air vehicle. Variations in ambienttemperature or system leakage will cause the pressure within theon-board vessel to vary, leading to potentially unacceptable and/orunsafe changes in the overall ejection system performance.

Type B Systems are integral pressure intensifier systems wherein anonboard “multi-stage” pressure intensifier (which may be a compressor)is used to charge a bottle, which is local to the ejectors. The pressureintensifier charges the bottle from atmospheric pressure to operatingpressure and then maintains optimal pressure across wide variations ofsystem temperature etc.

Whereas such systems offer relative freedom from ground servicing, theejection system's need for clean dry gas requires that pressureintensifier-based systems of this type incorporate special filters,either disposable or self-regenerating, whose efficacy and ultimate lifeare a function of atmospheric air quality. Further, pressure intensifierperformance and life are adversely affected by increases in aircraftoperational altitude—e.g., the pressure intensifier must work “harder”to reach optimal ejector pressure when altitude increases and localatmospheric pressure decreases. Also, the actual quality of thedelivered air is unknown unless a means of purity monitoring isincorporated, adding further to the complexity of such systems.

Additionally, carriage and ejector release units for airborne storesgenerally use stored high pressure cold gas or pyrotechniccartridge-generated hot gas to pressurize and effect the storeseparation sequence by first operating linkages to disengage thecarriage hooks from the store suspension lugs and then aiding gravity byforcing vertically extending pistons to thrust the store away from theaircraft.

Generally, the maneuvering of the aircraft and the resulting airflowconditions at store release combine to generate forces on the departingstore which, unless counteracted, would produce an unsafe and/orunstable separation of the store. Both are undesirable, in that theformer presents an aircraft collision hazard and the latter could resultin a loss of accuracy or range if the released store is a weapon.

A high total ejection force (and hence ejection velocity) provides onecomponent of a solution for safe separation. However, airflow andmaneuver forces generating excessive store pitch rotations need to becounteracted by opposing ejector forces acting differentially throughthe forward and rear ejector pistons. The term for this function ispitch control and it is generally achieved by adjusting the sizes of theorifices in the gas transfer paths leading to the two ejector positionssuch that the forward and aft forces can be varied in relation to oneanother. This adjustment typically takes place on the ground prior tothe flight or mission using predictions of the actual flight and storeseparation conditions. Because the actual conditions may varysignificantly from the predicted conditions, the pitch adjustment mayoften be less than optimal.

Upon release of the store from the aircraft, it is often required thatthe high pressure gas within the ejector system (e.g., within ejectorpistons and corresponding fluid paths) be vented out of the system toallow retraction of the ejector pistons. Many current systems addressthis problem by placing vents at or near the extended ends of thepistons themselves. When the pistons are extended, the vents are exposedand vent the remaining high pressure gas to atmosphere. This method canbe disadvantageous in that it requires the entire internal volume of thepistons to be filled before extension begins and, thus, a larger volumeof pressurized gas must be vented prior to retraction. Furthermore, insuch systems, the use of a plurality of spring or other retractionmechanisms is required to retract the ejector pistons. These retractionmechanisms can add weight to the piston assemblies. Extra weight in thepiston assemblies not only adds overall weight to the aircraft, but alsocreates additional stress upon the airframe where the ejector assembliesare attached.

FIG. 1 illustrates an aircraft store ejector system 10 which can includea gas re-pressurization system 1000. The system 10 preferably isprovided on an associated aircraft and is controlled by a suitablecontrol system to release a store of any type. The control system caninclude any suitable sensors, processors, actuators or other typical ordesirable components in addition to those illustrated herein, as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art. The control system can be adedicated system or can be integrated with other control systems of theaircraft. The ejector system 10 can be controlled by a pilot or othercrew member aboard the aircraft or can be controlled from a locationremote from the aircraft.

The illustrated re-pressurization system 1000 includes a remotereservoir 1002 and a local reservoir 1004. In some embodiments, there-pressurization system includes a pressure intensifier 1006 locatedbetween the remote reservoir 1002 and the local reservoir 1004. Theejector system 10 can further include a release valve 1100 configured toselectively introduce high pressure gas from the local reservoir 1004 toan ejection system 1300, in some cases through an optional pitch controlvalve 1200. The pitch control valve 1200 can be configured to distributehigh pressure gas from the local reservoir 1004 to one or more ejectorpassages 1198, 1199. The pitch control valve 1200 can be configured tovary the distribution of high pressure gas between the one or moreejector passages 1198, 1199 (e.g., one ejector passage can receive moreor less high pressure gas than another ejector passage). The ejectorpassages 1198, 1199 can be configured to allow high pressure gas to passfrom the pitch control valve 1200 to the ejection system 1300. Theejection system 1300 can include one or more ejector pistons 1301, 1302.Preferably, the one or more ejector pistons 1301, 1302 are configured toextend upon introduction of high pressure gas into ejection system 1300.Although each of the gas re-pressurization system 1000, the releasevalve 1100, the pitch control valve 1200, and the ejection system 1300are described herein in the context of their interrelationships, itshould be noted that each of the systems/devices 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300can be combined with systems and devices other than those describedherein. For example, the re-pressurization system 1000 can be used withstore release systems that do not include a pitch control valve 1200 orwith store release systems that include pitch control valves other thanthe valve 1200 disclosed herein. Similarly, the re-pressurization system1000 and/or pitch control valve 1200 can be used with ejection systemsother than the ejection system 1300 disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, as explained above, the gas re-pressurizationsystem 1000 includes a remote reservoir 1002. Preferably, the remotereservoir 1002 has a larger volume than the local reservoir 1004 (whichis discussed below). In some such embodiments, the remote reservoir 1002can hold more than twice the volume of the local reservoir 1003. In somearrangements, the remote reservoir 1002 can be configured to feedmultiple local reservoirs 1004, each of which supply pressurized gas toat least one associated ejection system 1300. In such cases, the remotereservoir 1002 can be capable of holding a volume that is severalmultiples of a single local reservoir 1004. Such an arrangement canpermit recharging of the local reservoirs 1004 to allow multiple storeejections. It is presently contemplated that, at least in someembodiments, the remote reservoir 1002 will be used primarily to“top-off” the pressure of one or more local reservoirs 1004, as opposedto completely refilling the local reservoirs 1004. Therefore, in someembodiments, the volume of the remote reservoir 1002 will be less thanthe combined volume of the local reservoirs 1004. As will be appreciatedby those of skill in the art, a single aircraft may employ multipleejector systems 10, including multiple remote reservoirs 1002 andmultiple local reservoirs 1004. Such systems 10 can be controlled by asingle control system or individual control systems and can be entirelyindependent or can share one or more components.

In some embodiments, the remote reservoir 1002 is configured to outputhigh pressure cold gas to a pressure intensifier 1006. The pressureintensifier 1006 can be a compressor (e.g., a one-stage compressor), apump, an air amplifier, any other suitable pressure-raising device, orany combination thereof. In some embodiments, it is desirable that asmall, lightweight, single-stage pressure intensifier 1006 be used.Advantageously, the system 1000 arrangement permits “topping-off” of thelocal reservoir(s) 1004 using pressurized (i.e., above local atmosphericor ambient) gas from the remote reservoir 1002. Because of the reducedpressure differential between the supply gas and the local reservoir1004, the pressure intensifier 1006 can be a light duty arrangement incomparison to systems utilizing ambient air as the supply gas. There-pressurization system 1000 can include an intermediate pressureregulator 1010 which can regulate a pressure of the gas supplied to thelocal reservoir(s) 1004 from the remote reservoir 1002. In someembodiments, the intermediate pressure regulator 1010 is located betweenthe remote reservoir 1002 and the pressure intensifier 1006. Theregulator 1010, pressure intensifier 1006 or the combination can bereferred to as a pressure regulation arrangement.

Referring to FIG. 1, the re-pressurization system 1000 can be connectedto a remote pressure source 1032 to permit charging of the system 1000or components thereof (e.g., the local reservoir(s) 1004) separatelyfrom the remote reservoir 1002. The remote pressure source 1032 could bea compressor, a pump, an air amplifier, or any combination thereof. Theremote pressure source 1032 can be connected to the pressure intensifier1006 such that the pressure can be increased, if necessary or desired,from a pressure of the remote pressure source 1032. In some embodiments,a remote pressure regulator 1034 can be located between the remotepressure source 1032 and the pressure intensifier 1006 to regulate orlower a pressure from a pressure of the remote pressure source 1032 ifnecessary or desired. A pressure indicator or gage 1036 can be providedto indicate system pressure at the location of the gage 1036.

In some embodiments, as explained above, the re-pressurization system1000 includes a local reservoir 1004, and can include multiple localreservoirs 1004. The local reservoir 1004 can be configured to providehigh pressure gas to the ejection system 1300 via the release valve 1100and/or pitch control valve 1200. In some embodiments, the remotereservoir 1002 is configured to provide high pressure gas to the localreservoir 1004 while, before, and/or after the local reservoir 1004provides high pressure gas to the ejection system 1300.

In some embodiments, the re-pressurization system 1000 includes a reliefvalve 1018. The relief valve 1018 can be used to compensate foroverpressures in the local reservoir 1004. For example, the relief valve1018 can be configured to release gas from the local bottle 1004 if thepressure within the local bottle 1004 reaches a pre-determined maximumpressure level. In some embodiments, the relief valve 1018 can directthe released gas through a non-return valve 1019 to into ducting betweenthe remote reservoir 1004 and the intermediate pressure regulator 1010.In some embodiments, the relief valve 1018 is configured to direct thereleased gas to a vent 1038. A pressure indicator or gage 1012 can beprovided to indicate system pressure at the location of the gage 1012(e.g., within the local reservoir 1004).

As illustrated, the re-pressurization system 1000 can include one ormore additional valves and/or vents. For example, an isolating valve1022 can be placed in the flow path between the remote reservoir 1002and the local reservoir 1004. The isolating valve 1022 can be manuallyactuated, electromechanically actuated, or actuated by any otherappropriate device or method. The isolating valve 1022 can, for example,connect the remote reservoir 1002 and the local reservoir for fluidcommunication or disconnect the remote reservoir 1002 and the localreservoir from fluid communication. Thus, preferably, the isolatingvalve 1022 is configured to allow for refilling of the remote reservoir1002 with pressurized gas. In some embodiments, the isolating valve 1022is located in the flow path between the pressure intensifier 1006 andthe local reservoir 1004.

In some embodiments, the re-pressurization system 1000 includes a ventvalve 1024. The vent valve 1024 can be located in the flow path betweenthe remote reservoir 1002 and the local reservoir 1004 and can beactuated via manual input, electromechanical input, or any otherappropriate device, method, or any combination thereof. The vent valve1024 can be configured to, upon actuation, vent some or the entirepressure within the re-pressurization system 1000 or within somesubsystem thereof. For example, the vent valve 1024 can be locatedbetween the isolating valve 1022 and the local reservoir 1004. In somesuch embodiments, the vent valve 1024 can be used to vent the localreservoir 1004, release valve 1100, pitch control valve 1200, and/orejection system 1300 without venting the remote reservoir 1002. Apressure transducer 1016 can be provided to detect the system pressure(e.g., the pressure of the local reservoir 1004) for use by the system10 or any other control system of the aircraft.

Both the remote reservoir 1002 and the local reservoir 1004 can beinitially ground charged with high pressure purified gas (e.g., air,nitrogen, another suitable gas, or any combination thereof) from asource external to the aircraft. The remote reservoir 1002 can be filledwith pressurized gas via a charge port 1007. A pressure indicator orgage 1014 can be provided to indicate system pressure at the location ofthe gage 1014. In some arrangements, the local reservoir(s) 1004 can becharged at the same time by opening the isolating valve 1022. The remotereservoir 1002 and/or local reservoir 1004 can be configured to befilled by a source within the aircraft (e.g., an onboard compressor orother pressurized gas source). In some embodiments, the remote reservoir1002 and/or the local reservoir 1004 are separable from there-pressurization system 1000. In such embodiments, the remote reservoir1002 and/or the local reservoir 1004 can be charged while disconnectedfrom the system 1000 and/or while removed from the aircraft.

In some embodiments, changes in altitude and/or temperature can lowerthe pressure within one or both of the remote reservoir 1002 and thelocal reservoir(s) 1004. In such situations, the local reservoir(s) 1004can be recharged via the remote reservoir 1002. In some embodiments, thepressure intensifier 1006 can aid in the recharging of the localreservoir(s) 1004. In some arrangements, the volume of the remotereservoir 1002 is selected to allow multiple (e.g., about 5-15) ejectioncycles for the local reservoir 1004 before recharging is necessary.

Furthermore, ground charging of the remote reservoir 1002 and the localreservoir 1004 can eliminate the need for onboard filtration or gaspurity monitoring equipment. Furthermore, because the gas pressure inthe remote reservoir 1002 is above atmospheric pressure, a light-duty(e.g., a single stage) pressure intensifier 1006 can be used. Reducingthe mechanical complexity of the pressure intensifier 1006 can improvethe durability of such a device when compared to a multi-stage pressureintensifier (e.g., a multi-stage compressor) fed by atmosphericpressure.

As explained above, a release valve 1100 can be used to selectivelyrelease high pressure gas from the local reservoir 1004 to the ejectionsystem 1300. The release valve 1100 can be of any suitable type orconstruction. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4E, the illustrated releasevalve 1100 includes a housing body that can include an upper pistonhousing 1240, a lower piston housing 1241, a valve body or valve piston1110, a vent valve 1120, a main valve 1130, and/or a firing valve 1136.In some embodiments, the valve piston 1110 can be a servo piston. Asillustrated, the valve piston 1110 can include one or more axial and/orradial sections having cross-sectional shapes configured to accomplishone or more specific functions. For example, the valve piston 1110 caninclude a top portion 1140 having a generally cylindrical shape, anaxial centerline, an axial length, and an outer surface. The outersurface of the top portion 1140 can be constant along the axial lengthof the first portion. In some embodiments, the top portion 1140 caninclude flared, stepped, and/or tapered sections along its axial lengthto block or allow flow, as necessary or desired. In some embodiments,the valve piston 1110 includes a cap portion 1114 connected to the top(e.g., toward the top of FIG. 4A) of the top portion 1140. The capportion 1114 can have a generally cylindrical shape, an axialcenterline, an outer surface, and an axial length. In some embodiments,the cap portion 1114 is coaxial with the top portion 1140. In some suchembodiments, a cross-sectional dimension of the outer surface of the capportion 1114 is greater than a cross-sectional dimension of the outersurface of the top portion 1140.

The valve piston 1110 can include an intermediate portion 1150. Theintermediate portion 1150 can have a generally cylindrical shape, anaxial centerline, an axial length, and an outer surface. In someembodiments, the intermediate portion 1150 is connected to and/orcoaxial with the top portion 1140. In some embodiments, the intermediateportion 1150 can have flared, stepped, and/or tapered sections along itsaxial length to block or allow flow, as necessary or desired. Forexample, the intermediate portion 1150 can include an expanded portion1119. The cross-sectional dimension of the outer surface of the expandedportion 1119 can be larger than the cross-sectional dimension of theouter surface of the intermediate portion 1150 and, in some embodiments,the expanded portion 1119 can have an outer surface that substantiallyor entirely fills an interior portion of the lower piston housing 1241in the vicinity of the expanded portion 1119.

In some embodiments, the valve piston 1110 includes a bottom portion1160. The bottom portion 1160 can extend from the intermediate portion1150 in a direction opposite the top portion 1140. The bottom portion1160 can have a generally cylindrical shape, and axial centerline, anaxial length, and an outer surface. In some embodiments, the bottomportion 1160 can extend through a port 1242 in the lower piston housing1241. Although the portions of the valve piston 1110 have been describedas having generally cylindrical shapes, it is anticipated that othersuitable shapes may be utilized for one or more of the portions of thevalve piston 1110. For example, one or more portions of the valve piston1110 could have generally oval-shaped outer cross-sectional shapes,rectangular outer cross-sectional shapes, or any other suitably-shapedouter cross-sections. Furthermore, unless indicated otherwise, the terms“cylinder” or “cylindrical” are used herein in accordance with theirordinary meaning, which have a broad definition and encompass a closedloop of any cross-sectional shape that is extruded along an axis todefine a length. A cylinder can be solid or hollow in cross-section.

In some embodiments, the vent valve 1120 can be formed through the useof a floating poppet 1123. The floating poppet 1123 can have an innersurface, an outer surface, a central axis, and an axial length. Theouter surface of the floating poppet 1123 can be configured fit snugglywithin an inner surface of the upper piston housing 1240. In someembodiments, the floating poppet 1123 can be configured to slidablyengage with the inner wall of an intermediate section 1124 (describedbelow) of the upper piston housing 1240. Preferably, a cross-sectionaldimension of the inner surface of the floating poppet 1123 is largerthan a cross-sectional dimension of the outer surface of the top portion1140 of the valve piston 1110 so that a passage is defined therebetweento permit fluid flow. In some such embodiments, the floating poppet 1123is coaxial with the top portion 1140 of the valve piston 1110 and ispositioned between the cap portion 1114 and intermediate portion 1150 ofthe valve piston 1110. The cap portion 1114 can be configured to have anouter cross-sectional dimension that is larger than the innercross-sectional dimension of the floating poppet 1123 so that thefloating poppet 1123 can be moved in one direction (e.g., downward inFIGS. 4A-4E) by the valve piston 1110. In some embodiments, the floatingpoppet 1123 can be normally biased in the upward direction (e.g., towardthe top of FIGS. 4A-4E) by any suitable arrangement, such as systempressure or a biasing member (e.g., a spring). Preferably, upwardmovement of the floating poppet 1123 is limited by a protrusion 1244,such as a shoulder or other stop surface, near the top of the upperpiston housing 1240.

The vent valve 1120 can be configured to transition to an openconfiguration when there is clearance between the upper surface of thefloating poppet 1123 and the lower surface of the cap portion 1114. Insuch configurations, gas and/or other fluids can pass through thepassage between the inner surface of the floating poppet 1123 and theouter surface of the top portion 1140 of the valve piston 1110 andthrough the space between the upper surface of the floating poppet andthe lower surface of the cap portion 1114, as illustrated in FIG. 4B.The upper piston housing 1240 can include one or more vent ports 1121that can allow gas to vent out from the interior of the upper pistonhousing 1240 when the vent valve 1120 is in the opened configuration.Advantageously, such an arrangement provides a simple means for ventingthe system pressure in a non-firing position or mode.

As illustrated, the main valve 1130 can be formed through the use of avalve body or main valve poppet 1132. The main valve poppet 1132 canhave a generally annular shape, an axial centerline, an inner surface,and an outer surface. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the mainvalve poppet 1132 includes one or more tapered, flared, and/or steppedportions. The main valve poppet 1132 can be configured such that theinner surface of the main valve poppet 1132 is sized to fit snuglyaround at least a portion of the intermediate portion 1150 of the valvepiston 1110. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the main valve poppet 1132 canbe tapered such that a cross-sectional dimension of the outer surface ofthe main valve poppet 1132 is smaller at the top of the main valvepoppet 1132 than at the bottom of the main valve poppet 1132. In somesuch configurations, the lower piston housing 1241 can have a reducedinner portion that defines a valve seat 1131 generally near the top ofthe lower piston housing 1241. The valve seat 1131 of the lower pistonhousing 1241 can be configured to be greater than the upper outercross-sectional dimension of the main valve poppet 1132 and smaller thanthe lower outer cross-sectional dimension of the main valve poppet 1132.In some such configurations, the main valve poppet 1132 can form asubstantially fluid-tight seal with the valve seat 1131 of the lowerpiston housing 1241. The fluid-tight seal can be released when the mainvalve poppet 1132 is moved downward and away from the reducedcross-section area 1131 of the lower piston housing 1241. Release of thefluid-tight seal results in an opening of the main valve 1130, therebypermitting fluid communication between sections of the release valve1100 above the main valve 1130 and sections of the release valve 1100below the main valve 1130.

In some embodiments, the space within the release valve 1100 can becharacterized into one or more sections. A vent section 1122 is definedby the space within the release valve 1100 above (e.g., toward the topof FIGS. 4A-4E) the vent valve 1120. An intermediate section 1124 isdefined as the space between the main valve 1130 and the vent valve1120. The intermediate section 1124 can be in continuous fluidcommunication with the ejector passages 1198, 1199 throughout the strokeof the valve piston 1110 via one or more ejector passage openings 1192,1193. A main valve section 1128 is defined as the space between the mainvalve 1130 and the expanded portion 1119 of the valve piston 1110. Insome embodiments, the main valve section 1128 is in communication withthe local reservoir 1004. In some such embodiments, the main valvesection 1128 can be maintained at the same or a similar pressure as thelocal reservoir 1004 via a valve window 1005. The space between theexpanded portion 1119 and the firing valve 1136 is defined as the firingsection or space 1126. In some embodiments, a resilient member 1180 canbe housed within the firing space 1126. The resilient member 1180 can bea compression spring or other resilient object configured to apply anupward force on the lower side of the expanded portion 1119.

According to some embodiments, the release valve 1100 can begin anejection cycle in a ready to fire configuration, as illustrated in FIG.4A. In such a configuration, the firing valve 1136 is in a closedposition. In some embodiments, the firing valve 1136 is closed by avalve body or plug 1134. Furthermore, the intermediate section 1124 isisolated from the main valve section 1128 by the main valve 1130 and/orthe main valve poppet 1132 when the release valve 1100 is in the readyto fire configuration. In some embodiments, the main valve section 1128is in fluid communication with the firing space 1126 via a throttledport 1152. The throttled port 1152 can be positioned within the expandedportion 1119 of the valve piston 1110. Fluid communication between thefiring space 1126 and the main valve section 1128 can allow for abuildup of high pressure (“P_(H)” as noted in the figures) gas withinthe firing space 1126 when the local reservoir 1004 is charged with highpressure gas. The throttled port 1152 preferably regulates (e.g.,increases) the amount of time required for the equalization of pressurebetween the main valve section 1128 and the firing section 1126 suchthat unequal pressures can be implemented to cause or assist movement ofthe valve piston 1110.

When the vent valve 1120 is in the open configuration, as illustrated inFIG. 4A, the ejector passages 1198, 1199, the intermediate section 1124of the release valve 1100, and the upper portion of the release valve1100 are in communication with ambient via the vent ports 1121. Thiskeeps the ejector passages 1198, 1199, the intermediate section 1124 ofthe release valve 1100, and the upper portion of the release valve 1100at ambient pressure (“P_(A)” as noted in the figures) while the ventvalve 1120 is in the open configuration. Any intentional or incidentalleakage of high pressure gas from the main valve section 1128 throughthe main valve 1130 into the intermediate space 1124 can be vented toatmosphere when the vent valve 1120 is in the open configuration,thereby preventing inadvertent pressurization of the ejector passages1198, 1199 and/or ejection system 1300.

In some embodiments, pressurization of the firing space 1126 with highpressure gas can help maintain the release valve 1100 in the ready tofire configuration. For example, in some embodiments, thecross-sectional dimension of the outer surface of the bottom portion1160 of the valve piston 1110 is smaller than the cross-sectionaldimension of the outer surface of the intermediate portion 1150. In suchan embodiment, the projection of the upper surface of the expandedportion 1119 onto a plane perpendicular to the axial centerline of theexpanded portion 1119 is smaller than the projection of the lowersurface of the expanded portion 1119 onto the same plane. As a result,in situations where the pressure above and below the expanded portion1119 is equal, a greater axial pressure force would be exerted upon thelower side of the expanded portion 1119 than on the upper side of theexpanded portion 1119 due to the increased area upon which the axialpressure force would be acting. Such an imbalance of force would resultin upward movement of the expanded portion 1119 and, in embodimentswhere the expanded portion 1119 is fixedly attached to the valve piston1110, the valve piston 1110. In some embodiments, the imbalance of forcedescribed above is augmented by spring force provided to the undersideof the expanded portion 1119 by the resilient member 1180.

In some embodiments, upward movement of the expanded portion 1119 and/orthe valve piston 1110 can be limited by contact between the expandedportion 1119 and the main valve poppet 1132 when the main valve 1130 isin the closed configuration. In some embodiments, upward movement of thevalve piston 1110 could be additionally or alternatively limited bycontact between the upper surface of the cap portion 1114 and the lowersurface of the top of the upper piston housing 1240. In someembodiments, upward movement of the valve piston 1110 can be limited bycontact between the expanded portion 1119 and the main valve poppet 1132such that the cap portion 1114 is inhibited from contacting the lowersurface of the top of the upper piston housing 1240, as illustrated inFIG. 4A.

Referring to FIG. 4C, the ejection cycle can be initiated by actuatingor moving the plug 1134 to open the firing valve 1136. The plug 1134 canbe actuated by any suitable arrangement. For example, the firing valve1136 can be a solenoid or solenoid-type valve. Upon opening of thefiring valve 1136, the high pressure gas within the firing space 1126can evacuate through the firing valve 1136. Preferably, the firing valve1136 is configured to allow gas to escape to ambient at a rate higherthan the rate at which the throttled port 1152 allows gas to travel fromthe main valve section 1128 to the firing space 1126. Accordingly, thepressure within the firing space 1126 is lowered to at or near ambientpressure (or to a relative pressure low enough to cause or permitmovement of the valve piston 1110). Because the main valve section 1128is maintained at or near (e.g., just below) the pressure of the localreservoir 1004, an imbalance of the axial forces on the top and bottomof the expanded portion 1119 is created. Because the pressure within thelocal reservoir 1004 is higher than the pressure within the firing space1126, the axial forces on the expanded portion 1119 will cause the valvepiston 1110 to move downward. That is, when the pressure in the localreservoir 1004 is high enough to create a downward force upon theexpanded portion 1119 greater than upward force created by the ambient(or other) pressure and spring force beneath the expanded portion 1119,the valve piston 1110 will move downward. Downward motion of the valvepiston 1110 causes the cap portion 1114 to contact the floating poppet1123. Contact between the cap portion 1114 and the floating poppet 1123closes the vent valve 1120, as illustrated in FIG. 4C.

Further movement of the valve piston 1110 in the downward direction cancause a portion (e.g., the bottom portion 1160) of the valve piston 1110to actuate a mechanism which releases store securing features holdingthe store to the aircraft. The store securing features can include swaybraces configured to stabilize the store. In some embodiments, the storesecuring features are hooks holding the store to the aircraft. In someembodiments, the valve piston 1110 includes a feature that engages themain valve poppet 1132. In the illustrated arrangement, the feature is ashoulder 1116. In some embodiments, the shoulder 1116 is annular and canbe broken into a plurality of radial projections from the valve piston1110. The shoulder 1116 can be positioned at the border between the topportion 1140 and intermediate portion 1150 of the valve piston 1110.Downward movement of the valve piston 1110 can bring the shoulder 1116into contact with the main valve poppet 1132, as illustrated in FIG. 4D.Thus, the valve piston 1110 and main valve poppet 1132 create a lostmotion mechanism. The distance between the shoulder 1116 and the mainvalve poppet 1132 provides a delay in actuation of the main valve poppet1132 and, as described below, the release of pressurized gas to theejection system 1300 to ensure that the store securing features havebeen released.

Referring to FIG. 4E, further movement of the valve piston 1110 in thedownward direction can cause the main valve poppet 1132 to move awayfrom the valve seat 1131 of the lower piston housing 1241. The downwardmovement of the valve piston 1110 can be limited by a stop surface,which can be defined by the end of an axial extension 1118 from thebottom of the expanded portion 1119. For example, the axial extension1118 can be configured to come into contact with a shoulder or othersurface feature of the lower cap housing 1241 when the valve piston 1110has moved in an opening direction (e.g., downward in FIGS. 4A-4E) apre-determined distance, as illustrated in FIG. 4E. Disengagement of themain valve poppet 1132 from the reduced cross-section area 1131 opensthe main valve 1130 and creates fluid communication between the valvewindow 1005 and the intermediate section 1124. Such fluid communicationallows high pressure gas from the local reservoir 1004 to enter theejector passages 1198, 1199. Entry of high pressure gas into the ejectorpassages 1198, 1199 can actuate the ejection system 1300. Actuation ofthe ejection system 1300 can cause the ejector pistons 1301, 1302 toextend and eject the store from the aircraft.

Upon closure of the firing valve 1136, the pressure of the gas in thefiring space 1126 is raised via migration of high pressure gas from themain valve section 1128 to the firing space 1126 through the throttledport 1152. As the pressure in the firing space 1126 is raised, the axialpressure force upon the underside of the expanded portion 1119 israised. The valve piston 1110 can be configured to move upward when theaxial force on the bottom of the expanded portion 1119 caused by theresilient member 1180 and the axial pressure overcomes the axialpressure force exerted downward upon the top of the expanded portion1119. Additionally, the high pressure within the intermediate section1124 can create an upward axial force upon the bottom of the floatingpoppet 1123. The upward force upon the bottom of the floating poppet1123 can provide an additional force tending to cause the valve piston1110 to move in the upward direction. In some embodiments, the valvepiston 1110 is configured to move in the upward direction until theexpanded portion 1119 comes into contact with the main valve poppet 1132and the main valve poppet 1132 comes into contact with the reduced innercross-section area 1131. Such movement can result in disengagement ofthe cap portion 1114 from the floating poppet 1123, opening the ventvalve 1120. As explained above, opening of the vent valve 1120 can ventthe ejector passages 1198, 1199 and the ejection system 1300. Venting ofthe ejection system 1300 can cause the ejector pistons 1301, 1302 toreturn to a retracted configuration, as described below.

In some embodiments, as discussed above, the aircraft store ejectorsystem 10 can include a pitch control valve 1200 that apportions theflow of pressurized gas between multiple flow passages, such as theejector passages 1198, 1199. Referring to FIG. 5A, the pitch controlvalve 1200 can include a rotational valve body, such as a carousel 1210.The carousel 1210 can include an annular occluding portion 1218. In someembodiments, the occluding portion 1218 is an annular obstruction wall,preferably which is variable in height along at least a portion of orits entire periphery or circumference. In some embodiments, an endsurface (e.g., the bottom surface 1214) of the occluding portion 1218can have a ramped configuration, such that a maximum height of theoccluding portion 1218 is located approximately 180° from the minimumheight of the occluding portion 1218. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4E, aportion of the carousel 1210 can be positioned between the valve window1005 and the ejector passages 1198, 1199. Preferably, the occludingportion 1218 of the carousel 1210 obstructs the flow of high pressuregas from the valve window 1005 to the ejector passages 1198, 1199 whenthe main valve 1130 is opened. When oriented as shown in FIG. 4A, theoccluding portion 1218 is obstructing ejector passage 1198 to the sameextent that it is occluding ejector passage 1199. The carousel caninclude a groove 1216 (FIG. 5A) configured to receive a seal member (notshown) to create a substantial seal with the housing that supports thecarousel 1210.

In some embodiments, the carousel 1210′ can be oriented such that an endsurface of the occluding member 1218′ that defines the variable heightis the upper surface, as illustrated in FIG. 5B. In such embodiments,the release valve flow 1194 can enter the carousel 1210′ from beneaththe carousel 1210′. The release valve flow 1194 can then be redirectedtoward the occluding member 1218′ and on to the ejector passages 1198,1199, as indicated by arrows 1196, 1197. In other respects, thestructure, operation and function of the carousel 1210′ can be the sameas or similar to the carousel 1210 of FIG. 5A.

In some cases, the entire end surface is planar (e.g., FIG. 5B) and inother cases, only a portion of the end surface is planar (e.g., FIG.5A). Although the illustrated arrangements include an end surfaceconfiguration having a single planar portion, in some embodiments, theoccluding portion 1218 can have multiple ramped surfaces falling withinmultiple planes, continuous smooth contours, or any other appropriateprofile for selectively and/or differentially occluding the ejectorpassages 1198, 1199 upon changes in rotational position of the carousel.In addition, surfaces other than an end surface can define the variablenature of the occluding portion. For example, one or more slots in aside wall of the carousel 1210, 1210′ could include a surface thatdefines the variable nature of the occluding portion.

In any case, it is preferred that the obstruction portions of thecarousel 1210, 1210′ at any particular point in time are diametricallyopposed from one another. With such an arrangement, the obstructionportions are located along a diametrical axis, or line passing throughthe rotational axis, of the carousel 1210, 1210′. Accordingly, forcesapplied to the carousel 1210, 1210′ by the pressurized ejection gas doesnot apply a moment to the carousel 1210, 1210′ and, therefore, does nottend to rotate the carousel 1210, 1210′. Thus, the motor or otherpositioning mechanism for the carousel 1210, 1210′ does not need toresist forces applied by the pressurized ejection gas. In addition, suchan arrangement permits excellent positional accuracy of the carousel1210, 1210′ throughout the store ejection process.

The pitch control valve 1200 preferably is configured such that thecarousel 1210 can be rotated to adjust the degree to which the occludingportion 1218 blocks each of the ejector passages 1198 and 1199.Accordingly, the pitch control valve 1200 can include a rotational inputfeature, which is driven by a drive or drive unit. In some embodiments,the rotational input feature is a gear, such as a ring gear or set ofannular gear teeth 1212. The annular gear teeth 1212 can be configuredto engage with teeth 1236 on a driving gear 1234 driven by a drive ordrive unit, such as a motor 1230. In some embodiments, the motor 1230can be used to rotate the carousel 1210. The motor 1230 can be anelectric motor (e.g., a stepper motor). Rotation of the carousel 1210can enable the occluding portion 1218 to occlude one ejector passage1198 to a greater extent than another ejector passage 1199, and viceversa. Varying the occlusion between one ejector passage 1198 andanother ejector passage 1199 can cause one ejector piston to extend at adifferent rate than another ejector piston. Varying extension ratesbetween the ejector pistons 1301, 1302 can cause an aircraft store to beejected from the aircraft at a predetermined pitch with respect to theaircraft. For example, increasing the occlusion of a forward ejectorpassage with respect to a rear ejector passage can cause the forwardejector piston to extend at a higher rate and/or acceleration than therear ejector piston. In such a situation, the store would be ejectedfrom airframe with a downward pitch (e.g., the front of the store wouldbe further from the aircraft than the rear of the store). By rotatingthe carousel 1210, many different occlusion distributions between theejector passages 1198, 1199 can be achieved and thus many differentpitch configurations can be achieved for ejecting the store.

In some embodiments, the pitch control valve 1200 is controlled bysignals from the aircraft sensor and/or weapon control systems toselect, in-flight and at any time up to immediately prior to release ofthe store, the optimized pitch settings to accurately and safelycompensate for perturbations caused by aircraft maneuver during thestore separation. In some embodiments, the pitch control valve 1200 canbe controlled by a pilot or other person while the aircraft is on theground or in flight via a control interface in the cockpit or elsewhere.The motor 1230 can include one or more input ports 1232 to facilitatepowering of and/or control of the pitch control valve 1200. In someembodiments, the pitch control valve 1200 and/or motor 1230 can bewirelessly controlled.

In some embodiments, pressurized gas that passes through pitch controlvalve 1200 is directed to one or more ejector pistons 1301, 1302 via oneor more ejector passages 1198, 1199. FIG. 6A illustrates an embodimentof an ejector piston 1301. The discussion of ejector piston 1301 and thefeatures described therein can equally apply to the ejector piston 1302and/or any other ejector piston described in the present disclosure. Theejector piston 1301 can be housed within an ejector piston housing 1304.The ejector piston 1301 can generally comprise one or more pistonstages. In some embodiments, the one or more piston stages can beconnected to each other telescopically. In some embodiments, the ejectorpiston 1301 includes a ram member or ram 1330. The ram 1330 can beconnected to the bottom (e.g., furthest from the airframe—the bottom ofFIG. 6A) of the inner-most ejector stage to contact the store.

In some embodiments, the ejector piston 1301 includes an outer pistonstage 1360. The outer piston stage 1360 can have a generally cylindricalshape, an axial centerline, an inner surface, an outer surface, and anaxial length. In some embodiments, the outer piston stage 1360 includesan outward projection 1361. The outward projection 1361 can be anannular collar at or near the top (e.g., furthest from the ram 1330—thetop of FIG. 6A) of the outer piston stage 1360. In some embodiments, anannular groove can be cut into the outside (e.g., the side furthest fromthe axial centerline of the outer piston stage 1360) of the outwardprojection 1361 between an upper end and a sealing portion. Oneadvantage of taking a cut out of the outward projection 1361 can be areduction in the weight of the ejector piston 1301. Another advantagecan be a reduction of contact area (and thereby friction) between theoutside surface of the outward projection 1361 and the inside surface ofthe ejector piston housing 1304.

The outward projection 1361 and/or outer piston stage 1360 can include agroove with a sealing member 1350-a. The sealing member 1350-a can be anO-ring or other appropriate sealing structure or method. The sealingmember 1350-a can provide at least a substantial seal between theoutward projection 1361 and the ejector piston housing 1304. In someembodiments, the ejector piston housing 1304 includes a sealing member1350-e. In some embodiments, the sealing member 1350-e is located withinan annular groove in an inwardly-projecting (e.g., toward the axialcenterline of the outer piston stage) annular collar 1308. In someembodiments, the sealing member 1350-e and/or annular collar 1308 arelocated near the bottom of the ejector piston housing 1304. The sealingmember 1350-e can be an O-ring or other appropriate sealing member ormethod and can be configured to provide a substantial annular sealbetween the ejector piston housing 1304 and the outer piston stage 1360.In some embodiments, the inwardly-projecting annular collar 1308 and theoutward projection 1361 can have approximately the same radialthickness.

In some embodiments, the ejector piston 1301 includes one or moreintermediate piston stages. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the ejectorpiston 1301 can include an intermediate piston stage 1340 having agenerally cylindrical shape, an axial centerline, an inner surface, anouter surface, and an axial length. The intermediate piston stage 1340can have an axial length greater than or less than the axial length ofthe outer piston stage 1360. In some embodiments, the intermediatepiston stage 1340 can have the same or approximately the same axiallength as the outer piston stage 1360. In some embodiments, the outercross-sectional dimension of the outer surface of the intermediatepiston stage 1340 is smaller than the inner cross-sectional dimension ofthe outer surface of the outer piston stage 1360.

The intermediate piston stage 1340 can have an outwardly-projectingfeature 1341. In some embodiments, the outwardly-projecting feature 1341is an outwardly-projecting annular collar. The outwardly-projectingfeature 1341 can be located at or near the top of the intermediatepiston stage 1340. The intermediate piston stage 1340 can include asealing member 1350-b. In some embodiments, the sealing member 1350-b isan O-ring or some other appropriate sealing member or method. Thesealing member 1350-b can be configured to provide a substantial annularseal between the intermediate piston stage 1340 and the outer pistonstage 1360. The sealing member 1350-b can be located in a groove on theoutward (e.g., away from the axial centerline of the intermediate pistonstage 1340) face of the outwardly-projecting feature 1341. In someembodiments, the outer piston stage 1360 can include an inward collar1368. The inward collar 1368 can include a sealing member. In someembodiments, the sealing member is an O-ring or some other suitablesealing feature or method. The sealing member on the inward collar 1368can be configured to create a substantial annular seal between theintermediate piston stage 1340 and the outer piston stage 1360. However,in the illustrated arrangement, the inward collar 1368 does not includea sealing member because a seal between the outer piston stage 1360 andthe intermediate piston stage 1360 is not necessary because, preferably,a mechanical retraction member is provided between the outer pistonstage 1360 and intermediate piston stage 1360 and gas pressure is notrelied on for retraction. Retraction of the pistons 1301, 1302 isdiscussed further below. In some embodiments, the inward collar 1368 andthe outwardly-projecting feature 1341 have approximately the same radialthickness.

In some embodiments, the ejector piston 1301 includes an inner pistonstage 1310. The inner piston stage 1310 can have substantiallycylindrical shape, an axial centerline, an inner surface, an outersurface, and an axial length. In some embodiments, the cross-sectionaldimension of the outer surface of the inner piston stage 1310 is smallerthan the cross-sectional dimension of the inner surface of the adjacentintermediate piston stages (e.g., intermediate piston stage 1340).Furthermore, in some embodiments, the axial length of the inner pistonstage 1310 is greater than or less than the axial length of the outerpiston stage 1360. In some embodiments, the inner piston stage 1310 hassubstantially the same axial length as one or more of the intermediatepiston stages and/or the outer piston stage 1360.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the inner piston stage 1310 can include anouter collar 1311. The outer collar 1311 can be located at or near thetop of the inner piston stage 1310. In some embodiments, the innerpiston stage 1310 includes a sealing member 1350-c. The sealing member1350-c can be an O-ring or some other suitable sealing feature ormethod. In some embodiments, the sealing member 1350-c can be configuredto engage with a groove in the outer surface of the outer collar 1311.The sealing member 1350-c can be configured to create a substantialannular seal between the inner piston stage 1310 and the intermediatepiston stage 1340. In some embodiments, the intermediate piston stage1340 can include an inward feature 1348. The inward feature 1348 caninclude a sealing member 1350-d. In some embodiments, the sealing member1350-d is an O-ring or some other suitable sealing feature or method.The sealing member 1350-d on the inward feature 1348 can be configuredto create a substantial annular seal between the intermediate pistonstage 1340 and the inner piston stage 1310. In some embodiments, theinward feature 1348 and the outer collar 1311 can have substantially thesame radial thickness.

In some embodiments, the inner piston stage 1310 is configured to engagewith the ram 1330. The ram 1330 can have axial centerline, an innersurface, an outer surface, and/or an axial length. In some embodiments,the ram 1330 can be configured to attach to the bottom of the innerpiston stage 1310 via welding, adhesives, friction fitting, threadedengagement, or any other method or combination of methods of adhering.In some embodiments, the ram 1330 includes an axial projection 1336. Theaxial projection 1336 can have an outer surface. In some embodiments,the axial projection 1336 has an inner surface. The axial projection1336 can include an outer (e.g., furthest from the axial centerline ofthe axial projection) surface configured to engage with the innersurface of the inner piston stage 1310. In some embodiments, axialprojection 1336 engages with the inner piston stage 1310 at or near thebottom of the inner piston stage 1310. In some embodiments, anattachment member or arrangement 1338 can be provided between the outersurface of the axial projection 1336 and the inner surface of the innerpiston stage 1310. In some such embodiments, the attachment member orarrangement 1338 can be configured to couple the axial projection 1336and the inner piston stage 1310 via friction fit, adhesives, welding,threaded engagement, or any other suitable method or combinations ofmethods of adhering. In some embodiments, the inner piston stage 1310includes an inward projection 1318. The inward projection 1318 can be aninwardly-projected annular collar. The inner surface of the inwardprojection 1318 can be configured to adhere to the attachment member1338 and/or to the axial projection 1336.

In some embodiments, the ejector piston housing 1304 includes a housingcap 1380. The housing cap 1380 can be configured to connect to the topof the ejector piston housing 1304 via adhesives, welding, friction fit,threaded engagement, any suitable type of fastener, or any othersuitable connection method or combination of methods. In someembodiments, the housing cap 1380 is configured to connect to the wing,fuselage, or other portion of an aircraft, either directly or through anappropriate intermediate mounting structure. The housing cap 1380 canhave a seal portion 1385. The seal portion 1385 can have an outersurface and can be configured to engage with the top (top of FIGS.6A-6E) end of the ejector piston housing 1304. Engagement between theseal portion 1385 and the top end of the ejector piston housing 1304 cancreate a seal or inhibit fluid communication between the interior of theejector piston housing 1304 and the ambient surroundings of the ejectorpiston housing 1304. The seal portion 1385 of the housing cap 1380 canhave a lower surface 1388 generally parallel to and facing one or moretop surfaces 1314, 1344, and 1364 of the piston stages 1310, 1340, and1360, respectively. In some embodiments, the housing cap 1380 includes adownward projection 1386. The downward projection 1380 can have agenerally cylindrical shape, an axial centerline, an inner surface, anouter surface, and/or an axial length. In some embodiments, the downwardprojection 1380 is configured to fit within the top of the inner pistonstage 1310. In some such embodiments, the cross-sectional dimension ofthe outer surface of the downward projection 1380 is smaller than thecross-sectional dimension of the inner surface of at least a portion ofthe inner piston stage 1310.

In some embodiments, the inner piston stage 1310 includes a dividingwall or transverse portion 1332. The transverse portion 1332 can have athickness in an axial direction suitable to accommodate internal systempressures. For example, the transverse portion 1332 can have an axialthickness of equal to or over more than about 2% of the axial length ofthe inner piston stage 1310 and/or less than or equal to about 20% ofthe axial length of the inner piston stage 1310. In some embodiments,the transverse portion 1332 has an axial length of equal to overapproximately 4% of the axial length of the inner piston stage 1310.Many variations are possible. The transverse portion 1332 can be locatedat any point along the axial length of the inner piston stage 1310 thatcreates a desirable volume above the transverse portion 1332. In someembodiments, the transverse portion 1332 can be located approximately30% of the axial length of the inner piston stage 1310 away from the top1314 of the inner piston stage 1310. In some embodiments, the transverseportion 1332 can be located more than 30% (e.g., 40%, 50% or 60%) of theaxial length of the inner piston stage 1310 away from the top 1314 ofthe inner piston stage 1310. In some embodiments, the transverse portion1332 can be located less than 30% (e.g., 10%, 15%, 20% or 25%) of theaxial length of the inner piston stage 1310 away from the top 1314 ofthe inner piston stage 1310. Many variations are possible.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6E, the outer piston stage 1360 can include apiston entrance 1372, such as an opening or port (FIG. 6B). The pistonentrance 1372 can be located at or near the interface between theejector passage 1199 and the ejector piston housing 1304. In someembodiments, the outer piston stage 1360 includes an occludingprojection 1365. The occluding projection 1365 can be configured toconstrict or occlude passage of high pressure gas through the pistonentrance 1372 into the piston housing 1340 or space above the pistonstages 1310, 1340, 1360. Constricting or otherwise impeding the flow ofhigh pressure gas into the piston housing 1340 can reduce the rate atwhich each of the piston stages 1310, 1340, 1360 transitions and/oraccelerates from a retracted position (e.g., held within the housing1304, as illustrated in FIG. 6A) to an extended position (e.g., fullyextended from the housing 1304, as illustrated in FIG. 6E). Furthermore,impeding the flow of high pressure gas into the ejector piston housing1304 can reduce rate of pressure loading on the housing cap 1380 and/oron the ejector piston housing 1304. In some embodiments, the occludingeffect of the occluding projection 1365 is reduced as the outer pistonstage 1360 moves downwardly and preferably is eliminated when the topsurfaces 1314, 1344, 1364 of the piston stages 1310, 1340, 1360 pass thelower edge of the ejector passage 1199, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, suchthat the rate of acceleration of the piston stages 1310, 1340, 1360toward the expanded position increases.

Flow of high pressure gas from the ejector passage 1199 can be furtheroccluded by reducing the distance D1 (FIG. 6B) between the uppersurfaces 1314, 1344, 1364 of the piston stages 1310, 1340, 1360 and thelower surface 1388 of the housing cap 1380. Variations in the distanceD1 can affect the rate at which high pressure gas is able to reach thedownward projection 1386, the transverse portion 1332, and/or the fullannuli of the upper surfaces 1314, 1344, 1364. In some embodiments,variation in the distance D1 can affect the rate at which each of thepiston stages 1310, 1340, 1360 transition from the retracted position tothe extended position. In some embodiments, limiting the rate at whichhigh pressure air reaches the upper surfaces 1314, 1344, 1364 of thepiston stages 1310, 1340, 1360 and the lower surface of the 1388 of thehousing cap 1380 can lower the initial acceleration of the piston stages1310, 1340, 1360 toward the extended position. In some such embodiments,lowering the initial acceleration of the piston stages 1310, 1340, 1360can help reduce impact on the housing cap 1380 and/or the airframe asthe piston stages 1310, 1340, 1360 extend. As the piston stages 1310,1340, 1360 move from the retracted position toward the extendedposition, the distance D1 is increased.

Decreasing the radial distance D2 (FIG. 6B) between the outer surface ofthe downward projection 1386 and the inner surface of the inner pistonstage 1310 can further occlude or constrict the flow of high pressuregas from the ejector passage 1199 to the upper surface 1335 of thetransverse portion 1332 and to the lower surface 1387 of the downwardprojection 1386. Occluding, constricting, or otherwise delaying flowthrough the radial space between the downward projection 1386 and theinner piston stage 1310 can delay the pressurization of the spacebetween the lower surface 1387 of the downward projection 1386 and theupper surface 1335 of the transverse portion 1332. Such a delay canreduce the acceleration of the inner piston stage 1310 toward theextended position. Furthermore, such a delay can reduce the rate atwhich the upward force upon the lower surface 1387 of the downwardprojection 1386 is increased upon introduction of high pressure gas tothe ejector passage 1199 from the pitch control valve 1200.

In some embodiments, increasing the distance D3 between the lowersurface 1387 of the downward projection 1386 and the upper surface 1335of the transverse portion 1332 can increase the time required pressurizethe space between the two surfaces. Such an increase in the timerequired for pressurization can reduce the acceleration of the innerpiston stage 1310 toward the extended position. Furthermore, such anincrease can reduce the rate at which the upward force upon the lowersurface 1387 of the downward projection 1386 is increased uponintroduction of high pressure gas to the ejector passage 1199 from thepitch control valve 1200. Conversely, reducing the distance D3 canincrease the acceleration of the inner piston stage 1310 toward theextended position and/or can increase the rate at which the upward forceupon the lower surface 1387 of the downward projection is increased uponintroduction of high pressure gas to the ejector passage 1199 from thepitch control valve 1200. In preferred embodiments, the transverse wall1332 is located at a spaced located from a lower end of the inner pistonstage 1310 such that the filling time of the interior chamber of theinner piston stage 1310 is less than prior art arrangements in which theinterior chamber extends the entire length or substantially the entirelength of the piston.

In some embodiments, the axial length L of the downward projection 1386can affect the rate of acceleration of the inner piston stage 1310toward the extended position. As described above, the radial distance D2between the outer surface of the downward projection 1386 and the innersurface of the inner piston stage 1310 can impede the passage of highpressure gas from the ejector passage 1199 to the space between theupper surface 1335 of the transverse portion 1332 and the lower surface1387 of the downward projection 1386. The occlusive effect of the radialdistance D2 can be substantially reduced and/or eliminated when the topsurface 1314 of the inner piston stage 1310 passes the lower surface1387 of the downward projection 1380, as illustrated in FIG. 6D. In someembodiments, increases in the axial length L of the downward projection1386 increase the time required for the top surface 1314 of the innerpiston stage 1310 to pass the lower surface 1387 of the downwardprojection 1380. In some such embodiments, the time required for theinner piston stage 1310 to transition from the retracted position to theextended position is increased. In some embodiments, decreases in theaxial length L of the downward projection 1386 can decrease the timerequired for the inner piston stage 1310 to transition from theretracted position to the extended position.

As illustrated and described, variations in the axial length L of thedownward projection 1386, the distance D1, the radial distance D2, andthe distance D3 can each have an effect on the pressure profiles (e.g.,the pressure magnitude as a function of time) exerted upon the surfacesof the piston 1301 over the course of a single piston stroke. Similarly,changes in the above dimensions can each have an effect on the pressureprofiles exerted upon the housing cap 1380. Thus, the specific loadings,accelerations, etc. experienced by the ejection system 1300 during theextension and/or retraction processes can be customized to fit desiredperformance parameters (e.g., rate of extension, acceleration, etc.) bymodifying the dimensions L, D1, D2, and/or D3, among other parameters.

In some embodiments, the outer piston stage 1360 includes an outer bleedpassage 1366 (FIG. 6B). The outer bleed passage 1366 can be configuredto provide fluid communication between the ejector passage 1199 and anouter piston chamber 1362. The outer piston chamber 1362 can be anannular chamber, semiannular chamber, or other-shaped chamber. In someembodiments, the outer piston chamber 1362 is defined by the outer wallof the outer piston stage 1360, the inner wall of the ejector pistonhousing 1304, a lower surface 1367 of the outward projection 1361, andan upper surface 1303 of the inwardly-projecting annular collar 1308.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the inner piston stage includes aninner bleed passage 1316. The inner bleed passage 1316 can be configuredto provide fluid communication between the ejector passage 1100 and aninner piston chamber 1312. The inner piston chamber 1312 can be anannular chamber, semiannular chamber, or other-shaped chamber. The innerpiston chamber 1312 can be defined by outer surface of the inner pistonstage 1310, the inner surface of the intermediate piston stage 1340, alower surface 1317 of the outer collar 1311, and an upper surface 1343of the inward feature 1348.

The outer piston chamber 1362 and inner piston chamber 1312 are providedwith pressurized gas via the respective bleed passages 1366, 1316 duringextension of the pistons 1301, 1302 and ejection of the store. The bleedpassages 1366, 1316 are sized to limit the mass and therefore pressureof the gas introduced to the chambers 1362, 1312. As the ejector piston1301 transitions from the retracted position to the extended position,the distance between the lower surface 1367 and the upper surface 1303is decreased. Decreasing the distance between the lower surface 1367 andthe upper surface 1303 decreases the volume of the outer piston chamber1362, which can compress the gas within the outer piston chamber 1362that is introduced into the outer piston chamber 1362 through the outerbleed passage 1366. In some such embodiments, the compressed gas withinthe outer piston chamber 1362 can behave as a gas spring at the end ofthe extension of the outer piston stage 3160 to inhibit or preventdirect contact between the outward projection 1361 and the annularcollar 1308. Similarly, transition of the ejector piston 1301 to theextended position also decreases the distance between the lower surface1317 and the upper surface 1343. Such a decrease in distance decreasesthe volume of the inner piston chamber 1312, thus compressing the gas inthe inner piston chamber 1312. Preferably, the compressed gas within theinner piston chamber 1312 behaves as a gas spring at the end of theextension of the inner piston stage 3110 to inhibit or prevent directcontact between the outer collar 1311 and the inward feature 1348. Uponventing of the ejector passage 1199 via the vent valve 1120, thecompressed gas within the outer piston chamber 1362 and inner pistonchamber 1312 can force the outer piston stage 1360 and inner pistonstage 1310, respectively, to retract into the piston housing 1304.

In some embodiments, an intermediate piston chamber 1342 is defined bythe outer wall of the intermediate piston stage 1340, the inner wall ofthe outer piston stage 1360, a lower surface 1347 of theoutwardly-projecting feature 1341, and an upper surface 1363 of theinward collar 1368. In some embodiments, a bleed passage can connect theintermediate piston chamber 1342 to the ejector passage 1199 in a mannerto that described above with respect to bleed passages 1316 and 1366.However, in some cases, providing a bleed passage to the intermediatepiston chamber 1342 can prove difficult in practice. Therefore, incertain variants, one or more of the piston chambers 1312, 1342, 1362includes a resilient member to provide for retraction. For example, inthe illustrated arrangement, the intermediate piston chamber 1342 housesa resilient retraction member 1382. In some embodiments, the resilientretraction member 1382 can be a compression spring. The resilientretraction member 1382 can serve some or all of the same functionsexplained above for the compressed gas within the inner piston chamber1312 and the outer piston chamber 1362. For example, as the intermediatepiston stage 1340 transitions to the extended position, the distancebetween the lower surface 1347 and the upper surface 1363 decreases. Asthis distance decreases, the resilient retraction member 1382 iscompressed. The compressed resilient retraction member 1382 can serve asa shock absorber at the end of the extension of the intermediate pistonstage 1340. In addition, the compressed resilient retraction member 1382provides a force that moves or tends to move the intermediate pistonstage 1340 to the retracted position when the high pressure gas withinthe ejector passage 1199 is vented via the vent valve 1120. Thus, in theillustrated arrangement, the retraction arrangements of the pistonchambers alternate between gas spring and a non-gas spring, such ascompression spring, for example. Preferably, the outermost pistonchamber (e.g., chamber 1362) is a gas spring and the chambers alternatemoving inwardly. The innermost piston chamber (e.g., 1312) can also be agas spring regardless of where it falls within the alternating patternbecause it is typically practical to provide a bleed passage to theinnermost piston chamber. In certain variants, each of the pistonchambers 1312, 1342, 1362 could include a non-gas resilient retractionmember. In other variants, none of the piston chambers 1312, 1342, 1362include a non-gas resilient retraction member.

In operation, the system 10 can be used to cause ejection of a storefrom an associated aircraft. Preferably, the remote reservoir 1002 andlocal reservoir(s) 1004 are charged to a desirable pressure level on theground or otherwise prior to the point in time in which it is desired toeject the store. If necessary or desirable, the local reservoir(s) 1004can be “topped-off” or increased in pressure via the pressureintensifier 1006 using pressurized gas from the remote reservoir 1002.The pitch control valve 1200 can be adjusted if necessary or desired toadjust the ejection force applied to the front and rear of the store.Once a command to release the store is issued, pressurized gas from theremote reservoir 1004 is supplied to the associated ejection system 1300by opening of the release valve 1100. Furthermore, the pistons 1301 and1302 are extended in response to the pressurized gas and apply anejection force to the store. Once the store is released, the releasevalve 1100 is closed, which permits the pistons 1301 and 1302 toretract. If desired, the local reservoir(s) 1004 can be recharged withpressurized gas from the remote reservoir 1002. This process can berepeated, if desired. For example, the remote reservoir 1002 can beconfigured to provide multiple recharging cycles (e.g., at least 2 or3-10 cycles, or more).

In some embodiments of an aircraft store ejector system 20, asillustrated in FIG. 7, the remote reservoir 1002 is connected to thelocal reservoir 1004 without the use of an intermediate pressureintensifier. In some such embodiments, the local reservoir 1004 can bere-pressurized directly from the remote reservoir 1002 via the pressurereducer 1010. In such arrangements, the other features can be asdescribed above.

In some embodiments, an aircraft store ejector system 30 can include are-pressurization system 3000 having an adjustable-volume remotereservoir 3002. The adjustable remote reservoir 3002 can include apressure control member 3003. The pressure control member 3003 can beconfigured to modify the pressure within the adjustable remote reservoir3002. In some embodiments, the pressure control member 3003 modifies thepressure within the adjustable remote reservoir 3002 by adjusting thevolume of the adjustable remote reservoir. In some embodiments, thepressure control member 3003 is located partially within the adjustableremote reservoir 3002. In some embodiments, the entire pressure controlmember 3003 is located within the adjustable remote reservoir 3002. Insome embodiments, the pressure control member 3003 is located outsidethe remote reservoir 3002.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the adjustable remote reservoir 3002 caninclude a actuating arrangement or member 3005. The actuating member3005 can be configured to actuate the pressure control member 3003. Forexample, in some embodiments, the pressure control member 3003 is aplunger housed within the adjustable remote reservoir 3002. In some suchembodiments, the actuating member 3005 could be a rod configured to movethe plunger within the adjustable remote reservoir. The actuatingarrangement could also be hydraulic fluid that is dedicated to the storeejection system 30 or that is used for other purposes on the aircraft.In other embodiments, the pressure control member can be any structurecapable of adjusting the effective volume of the remote reservoir 3002,such as a collapsing diaphragm, for example. In some embodiments, theactivation of the actuating member 3005 can be controlled by pressurecontrol software. For example, the pressure control software can beconfigured to command the actuating member 3005 to increase and/ordecrease the volume of the adjustable remote reservoir 3002 to bring thegas within the adjustable remote reservoir 3002 to a pre-determinedpressure level.

In some embodiments, the adjustable remote reservoir 3002 can beconfigured to receive a charge of pressurized gas via a charge port3007. In some embodiments, the adjustable remote reservoir 3002 isconfigured to be charged while the aircraft in which it is installed ison the ground or while the aircraft is in the air. A pressure indicatoror gage 3014 can be provided to indicate system pressure at the locationof the gage 3014. The adjustable remote reservoir 3002 can connect to alocal reservoir 3004 via an intermediate pressure reducer 3010 and/or anintermediate pressure intensifier 3006. The pressure reducer 3010 andpressure intensifier 3006 can be configured to function similarly or thesame as the pressure reduce 1010 and pressure intensifier 1006,respectively, described above. Similarly, the re-pressurization system3000 can connect to a release valve 3100, pitch control valve 3200,and/or an ejection system 3300. The release valve 3100, pitch controlvalve 3200, and ejection system 3300 can operate similarly or the sameas and/or have the same components as the release valve 1100, pitchcontrol valve 1200, and ejection system 1300 described above,respectively. Furthermore, the re-pressurization system 3000 can be usedwith release valves, pitch control valves, and/or ejection systems otherthan those described herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates an aircraft store ejector system 40 which shares manyof the same or similar components and subsystems included in system 10described above. As illustrated, some of the components and subsystemsof the ejector system 40 share reference numbers with the components andsubsystems of ejector system 10. In some cases, like numbers in theejector system 40 indicate components and subsystems which are similarto or suitably constructed compared to those components and subsystemsdisclosed and described above with respect to ejector system 10.

The system 40 can include a control valve 1400. The control valve 1400can comprise, for example, a ported cylinder valve. The control valve1400 can be positioned in the fluid path between the release valve 1100and the pitch control valve 1200. In some embodiments, the release valve1100 is positioned in the fluid path between the pitch control valve1200 and the ejection system 1300.

The control valve 1400 can be configured to selectively occlude thefluid paths from the release valve 1100 to the pitch control valve 1200.For example, the control valve 1400 can be configured to transitionbetween an open position, in which fluid communication (e.g., a fluidinterface) between the release valve 1100 and the pitch control valve1200 is provided, and a closed position in which the control valve 1400closes the fluid pathway between the release valve 1100 and the pitchcontrol valve 1200. The degree to which the control valve 1400 obscuresthe fluid pathway (e.g., reduces the area of interface between theinterior of the upper piston housing 1240 and the one or more of theejector passages 1198, 1199) in which it is positioned can be controlledon a continuum between fully opened and fully closed. In someembodiments, the control valve 1400 is configured to obscure each of theejector passages 1198, 1199 to the same degree as the control valve 1400is transitioned between the open position and the closed position. Insome embodiments, the control valve 1400 is configured such that thedegree to which each of the ejector passages 1198, 1199 is obscured asthe control valve 1400 transitions between the open position and theclosed position varies between the ejector passages 1198, 1199. In somesuch embodiments, the control valve 1400 can perform the same or asimilar function as that of the pitch control valve 1200.

The control valve 1400 can be controlled by signals from the aircraftsensors and/or weapon control systems to select, in-flight and at anytime up to immediately prior to release of the store, the optimizeddegree to which the fluid from the release valve to the pitch controlvalve 1200 or ejector passages 1198, 1199 should be occluded to achieveoptimum or controlled ejection trajectory and ejection force (e.g.,based upon store properties and/or flight conditions). In someembodiments, the control valve 1400 can be controlled by a pilot orother person while the aircraft is on the ground or in flight via acontrol interface in the cockpit or elsewhere. In some embodiments, thecontrol valve 1400 is wirelessly controlled. According to some variants,the control valve 1400 is controlled by a rotating force means (e.g.,manual input, a motor, or a thermostatic element 1420). As illustratedin FIG. 9, the control valve 1400 can be operably coupled (e.g.,mechanically coupled and/or electrically coupled) with the thermostaticelement 1420. Motion of the thermostatic element 1420 can betemperature-induced. In some embodiments, motion of the thermostaticelement 1420 in response to changes in temperature can vary the degreeof occlusion provided by the control valve 1400. In some suchembodiments, such a change in occlusion can compensate for changes instored energy and flow behavior of the fluid in response to changes intemperature. Such compensation can effect a tailored and/or constantvelocity of ejection and/or reaction force level in the ejection system1300. The control valve 1400 can be used in conjunction with any of thesystems 10, 20, 30 described above.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the upper piston housing 1240 can serve asthe control valve 1400. For example, the upper piston housing 1240 canserve as a ported cylinder valve. Rotation of the upper piston housing1240 can affect the degree to which the ejector passage openings 1192,1193 are occluded. Rotation of the upper piston housing 1240 affects thedegree to which the openings 1192, 1193 are aligned with the ejectorpassages 1198, 1199. FIG. 10 illustrates a configuration wherein theupper piston housing 1240 (e.g., the control valve 1400) is in thefully-occluded or closed position. FIG. 4E illustrates the upper pistonhousing 1240 in the open position.

The control valve 1400 (e.g., the ported cylinder valve created by theupper piston housing 1240) can be used in combination with or instead ofthe pitch control valve 1200. For example, rotation of the upper pistonhousing 1240 can occlude the openings 1192, 1193 to varying degrees withrespect to each other such that the fluid flow path between the valvewindow 1005 and the ejector passage 1198 is occluded to different degreefrom that of the fluid flow path between the window 1005 and the ejectorpassage 1199. In some embodiments, the degree to which the opening 1192is occluded or opened as the upper piston housing 1240 rotates is thatsame as the degree to which the opening 1193 is occluded or opened asthe upper piston housing 1240 rotates.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certainpreferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof. In particular, while the present aircraft store ejector system,components and methods have been described in the context ofparticularly preferred embodiments, the skilled artisan will appreciate,in view of the present disclosure, that certain advantages, features andaspects of the system may be realized in a variety of otherapplications, many of which have been noted above. Additionally, it iscontemplated that various aspects and features of the inventiondescribed can be practiced separately, combined together, or substitutedfor one another, and that a variety of combination and subcombinationsof the features and aspects can be made and still fall within the scopeof the invention. For example, the ejection system 1300 can be used incombination with one or more of the re-pressurization systems 1000,2000, and/or 3000 or with an alternative re-pressurization system notdisclosed in the present disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the scopeof the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by theparticular disclosed embodiments described above, but should bedetermined only by a fair reading of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aircraft store ejector system, comprising: apressurized gas arrangement comprising a remote reservoir and a localejector reservoir, wherein the remote reservoir has a larger volume thanthe ejector reservoir and is arranged to supply pressurized gas to theejector reservoir, a pressure regulation arrangement positioned betweenthe remote reservoir and the ejector reservoir that adjusts a pressurelevel of the pressurized gas supplied from the remote reservoir to theejector reservoir; a release valve arrangement comprising a vent valveconfigured to provide selective fluid communication between the ambientsurroundings of the release valve arrangement and one or more ejectorpassages, a main valve configured to provide selective fluidcommunication between the ejector reservoir and the one or more ejectorpassages, and a firing valve, wherein opening of the firing valve closesthe vent valve and then opens the main valve, and wherein opening themain valve provides pressurized gas to the ejector passages; an ejectionsystem configured to receive a flow of pressurized gas from the ejectorreservoir via the release valve arrangement, the ejection systemcomprising a first ejector passage in fluid communication with therelease valve arrangement and a first ejector piston, and a secondejector passage in fluid communication with the release valvearrangement and a second ejector piston, wherein the first ejectorpiston acts on a store at a first location and the second ejector pistonacts on the store at a second location and at least one of first ejectorpiston and the second ejector piston comprises a plurality of concentrictelescopic piston stages, the space between each adjacent pair of theconcentric piston stages defining a piston chamber, the piston chambersconfigured to contain a volume of gas, wherein the volume of gas withinthe one or more piston chambers compresses as the plurality oftelescopic piston stages move toward an extended configuration, thecompressed volume of gas providing a return force on the plurality ofpiston stages to bias the plurality of telescopic piston stages toward aretracted position when the pressurized gas is evacuated from theejection system via the vent valve; a ported cylinder valve rotatable inresponse to a rotating force actuator, the ported cylinder valve havinga plurality of ejector passage openings, wherein rotation of the portedcylinder valve regulates an amount of ejector gas provided to each ofthe first and second ejector passages; and a pitch control valve thatcontrols the flow of pressurized gas to each of the first and secondejector passages, the pitch control valve comprising a rotatablecarousel that rotates about its axis, the carousel having an obstructionwall portion, wherein the obstruction wall portion varies the flow areaof the flow of pressurized gas when moving in a circumferentialdirection; wherein the carousel is rotatable such that a selectiveportion of each gas flow passage leading to the first and second ejectorcylinders can be variably obstructed by the obstruction wall portion toselectively proportion the pressurized gas flow between the first andsecond ejector cylinders.
 2. The ejector system of claim 1, wherein therotating force actuator is a thermostatic element configured to rotatethe ported cylinder valve in response to changes in temperature.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the pressure regulation arrangement comprisesa pressure regulator and a pressure intensifier.
 4. The system of claim3, wherein the pressure intensifier is a single stage compressor.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the obstruction wall portion is defined by acircumferential wall of the carousel.
 6. The system of claim 5, whereinthe circumferential wall has an end surface that defines a variableheight of the obstruction wall portion with respect to angle ofrotation.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the carousel is driven by amotor whose rotational motion may be controlled by the aircraft on-boardcomputer.
 8. An ejector system for an aircraft store, comprising: afirst ejector passage that supplies an ejector gas to a first ejector,the first ejector configured to apply an ejection force to a firstlocation on a store in response to the supply of ejector gas; a secondejector passage that supplies an ejector gas to a second ejector, thesecond ejector configured to apply an ejection force to a secondlocation on the store in response to the supply of ejector gas; a portedcylinder valve rotatable in response to a rotating force actuator, theported cylinder valve having a plurality of ejector passage openingswherein rotation of the ported cylinder valve regulates an amount ofejector gas provided to each of the first and second ejector passages; apitch control valve that regulates an amount of ejector gas provided toeach of the first and second ejector passages, wherein the pitch controlvalve comprises a rotary carousel having an obstruction wall, theobstruction wall configured to obstruct a portion of each of the firstand second gas passages, wherein the obstruction wall varies in heightaround its circumference such that an amount of obstruction of each ofthe first and second ejector passages can be adjusted by rotation of thecarousel.
 9. The ejector system of claim 8, wherein the rotating forceactuator is a thermostatic element configured to rotate the portedcylinder valve in response to changes in temperature.
 10. The system ofclaim 8, wherein at least a portion of an upper end of the wall residesin a plane that is oblique with respect to an axis of rotation of thecarousel.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein an entirety of an upper endof the wall resides in a plane that is oblique with respect to an axisof rotation of the carousel.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein thesystem further comprises a motor, the motor configured to rotate thecarousel about an axis of rotation.
 13. A release valve arrangement fora pressurized gas reservoir of an aircraft store ejector system, therelease valve comprising: an upper piston housing portion having aninterior space defining an upper valve chamber, the upper piston housingportion comprising one or more vent ports and one or more ejectorpassage openings, the one or more vent ports configured to create fluidcommunication between the ambient surroundings of the release valvearrangement and the upper valve chamber, the one or more ejector passageopenings connecting the upper valve chamber with one or more ejectorpassages, the upper piston housing rotatable in response to a rotatingforce actuator, wherein rotation of the upper piston housing increasesor decreases an area of interface between the upper valve chamber andthe one or more ejector passages; a lower piston housing portionconnected to the upper piston housing portion and having an interiorspace that defines a lower valve chamber, the lower piston housingportion comprising a valve window and a valve seat, the valve windowpermitting fluid communication between the pressurized gas reservoir andthe lower valve chamber; a valve piston movable within the upper pistonhousing portion and the lower piston housing portion, the valve pistonhaving a first end, a second end, and an outer surface, wherein thefirst end of the valve piston generally resides within the upper pistonhousing portion and the second end of the valve piston generally resideswithin the lower piston housing portion, the valve piston comprising: acap portion connected to the first end of the valve piston and having anouter cross-sectional dimension greater than the outer cross-sectionaldimension of the first end of the valve piston; and one or more radialprojections, the one or more radial projections being connected to thevalve piston and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the valvepiston; a vent poppet housed in the upper valve chamber, the vent poppetbeing annular in shape, the vent poppet and an adjacent portion of theouter surface of the valve piston defining a fluid flow passagetherebetween, and wherein the cap portion can contact the vent poppet tocause movement of the vent poppet within the upper valve chamber; a mainvalve poppet housed in the lower valve chamber, the main valve poppetbeing annular in shape and having an inner surface and an outer surface,wherein the main valve poppet is configured to be movable relative tothe valve piston, the outer surface of the main valve poppet configuredto engage the valve seat, wherein the main valve poppet and the valvepiston cooperate to create a seal between the upper valve chamber andthe lower valve chamber when the main valve poppet is engaged with thevalve seat; and a firing valve in fluid communication with the lowervalve chamber and configured to vent the lower valve chamber when thefiring valve is opened; wherein, when the firing valve is opened,pressurized gas from the valve window causes the valve piston to movedownward toward the lower piston housing, and wherein the downwardmovement of the valve piston causes the cap portion to contact the ventpoppet, contact between the vent poppet and cap portion closing the oneor more vent passages, and wherein further downward movement of thevalve piston brings the one or more radial projections into contact withthe main valve poppet, and wherein further downward movement of thevalve piston disengages the main valve poppet from the valve seatthereby allowing for fluid communication between the pressurized gasreservoir and the interior of the upper piston housing.
 14. The releasevalve arrangement of claim 13, wherein the rotating force actuator is athermostatic element configured to rotate the upper piston housing inresponse to changes in temperature.
 15. The release valve arrangement ofclaim 13, wherein the valve piston further comprises an expanded portionthat contacts the main valve poppet to urge the main valve poppet intoengagement with the valve seat.
 16. The release valve arrangement ofclaim 15, wherein the expanded portion is located between the one ormore radial projections and the second end of the valve piston.
 17. Therelease valve arrangement of claim 15, wherein the expanded portioncomprises a throttled port, the throttled port configured to providefluid communication between the valve window and the firing valve, thethrottle port further configured to throttle the flow of fluid from thevalve window to the firing valve.
 18. The release valve arrangement ofclaim 13, wherein the valve piston is configured to release one or morestore securing features from the aircraft store when the valve piston ismoved toward the lower piston housing.
 19. The release valve arrangementof claim 13, wherein the release valve arrangement further comprises aresilient member, the resilient member configured to bias the valvepiston toward the upper piston housing.
 20. The release valvearrangement of claim 13, wherein the cap portion, radial projections,and valve piston form a unitary part.